The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-26
FIRST FATAL WRECK.
4 SchOoner's Awful Experience n
Lake Michigan.
. SAtlOr-A survivors,
story.

MILLER, IND, August 25.-The hrs
fatal wreck OF the season occurred
here. The schooner Clara, Of Man.
istee, was driven ashore yesterday
and her wrecksgs is strewn along the
beach for miles. Capt. Olson, her
master and owner, and one Of the
sailors, lost their lives, snd John Gus
lawson, the mate, escaped by swim
ming ashore on plank. The vessel
was bound for Chicago, with cargo
Of hardwood lumber. She left Nan.
istes Monday morning with q light
Wind, but toward night equal ewept
Down upon her from the northeast,
Jerking her heed sails out Of the bolt
ropes and orippling her 30 that she
became unmsnsgsable. All night
long che staggered before the gale,
that kept increasing in violence. The
sea ran very high and the waves
swept her decks Of everything
movable. She arrival off Chicago In
sucn disabled condition that II was
impossible TO work her into the har.
Dor, and one was driven up the lake.
Real ining that she was soon to be on
the beach, Capt. Olson let 20 Of the
anchor when abreast OF this place, but
the flakes failed to hold, and she
dragged on sand bar bali mile from
shore. The seas kept dashing over
her, and the crew OF three men were
compelled to climb into the rigging
and lash themselves to keep from be-
ing washed overheard. In less than
On hour the coverings Of the matches
we're carried away and the sea swept
into the hold, filling IL to the
decks. Then che rolled over on her
side, and Hans Christensen was car.
RED away on the crest OF q wave.
Capt. Olson and Gustaveon got hold
Of q plank. 1t was raining hard ard
the night was 30 Clark they could see
nothing, bat they chung TO the plank
with the hope that the waves would
push Il onward to the beach. Gus
taveon Gays he heard loud cry, and
on looking behind him saw the cap
tain had relaxed his hold and was
even then disappearing beneath the
wavee. He was unable to help him
and the captain went down. Gustav.
son does not recollect much sbout his
battle for life. Three times the plank
turned over and buried him In the
water, but he hung on to II and was
dashed bleeding and senseless on the
sandy beach. When he regained his
senses he was lying upon his back
with the rain pelting down on his
face. There was not house In sight
for the village lies three milee back
from the lake. Naked, bruised and
bleeding, he made his way along the
beach TO the clubhouse OF the CalimeI
Shooting Club. He had jast enough
strength 10 give n feeble rap on tn,
door, and when II opened be fell faint
ing across the threshold. He was car
ried inside and Kindly cared for until hI
recovered sufficiently to relate his sto
~, and after being provided will
clothing, hs toos the train Tor Chicago
Before leaving, Gustavson went dow
10 the beach 10 see what had becom
of the wreck. He found that II ha
a broken up, and the broken timber
= and cargo were scattered In every d.
rection. Tho csp,ain's chest, whic
Gus.avson says contained q large sur
OF moGey, was fond. but II va
broken open and the contents wer
mitsing. Gus,syJcn thinks the chet
had been rihed by thieves. Neither
the bodies has been recovered. A
day and tonight crowd OF men fror
the village have been on the beac
gathering up the cargo % II drifte
ashore aud hauling II away. b
morning there will not be much le
TO mark the resting place OF this vel
sci. Ben LSnlois, Of the Chicago Lii
Saving Grew, who came down he'
with a reporter, Gays he never "a
such hungry lot Of thieves around
wreck In bis life.